Country Profile: Latvia

Latvia

Population: 1,907,675

Area: 64,589 km2

Country profile

Latvia is located in the Baltic region on Northern Europe, with and an annual GDP of about 30bn EUR and a rather urban population.

With a maritime climate, Latvia has relatively wet and moderate winters. Around half of its surface is covered by forests.

% of the H&C sector in the final energy consumption: 61,1%

% of renewables in the H&C sector: 55,9%

% of bioheat within renewables in the H&C sector: 100%

Biomass for heating in Latvia

Latvia has a share of renewable energy of 41%, well above the EU average. This is partially explained by the high contribution of bioenergy.

Although Latvia has one of the highest shares of renewables in the heating and cooling sector in the EU, its overall existing heating stock (including all technologies) is not particularly updated in contrast with the European average.

There is a carbon tax in place since 2004 (8,7EUR in 2020). The country aims to increase the share of renewable energy in heating and cooling to 57% by 2030 through promoting the use of renewables in industry and in district heating, and local and individual cooling systems, with particular attention to zero-emission technologies.

Specific measures concern the upgrade of the existing district heating infrastructure for the use of cooling and the use of renewable energy in centralised cooling to ensure more efficient use of the heating system and technologies used.

An investment of 1.6 million is planned for energy efficiency and deployment of renewables in district heating and cooling.

Latvia presented its National Air Pollution Control Programme with an emission reduction target of 16% for PM2,5 for the period 2020-2029 in comparison with 2005 and 43% from 2030.

Relevant documents

• Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for Latvia (LV – EN)
• National Air Pollution Control Programme (LV – EN)

National initiatives

To see all initiatives carried by our partners in this country, go back to our map of initiatives and select the country for which you would like to get more information.